News
Vacancy: Postdoctoral Researcher on the Social History of Capitalism (12th-20th centuries)
Postdoctoral Researcher on the Social History of Capitalism (12th-20th centuries) Category: Academic Staff & Researchers 1 - Working at the VUB For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, a...
PhD student Leonie Vanlerberghe joins SHOC!
Introducing Leonie: Uncovering Resistance to Women in Belgian Politics We’re excited to welcome Leonie as she begins her PhD journey exploring the opposition faced by female politicians in twentieth-century Belgium.
New publication by SHOC member Imma Petito
In her latest article for Diplomatica , SHOC member Imma Petito (joint PhD VUB-Università di Salerno) uncovers the dynamic strategies behind Anglo-Neapolitan diplomacy in the late Middle Ages.
SHOC member Vicky Vanruysseveldt successfully defends her PhD thesis
On Tuesday 21 October, Vicky Vanruysseveldt successfully defended her PhD, On the Road with Entertainment, under the supervision of SHOC member Anne Winter. Her research sheds light on the income strategies and mobility of itinerant entertainers in Brabant between 1750 and 1914.
New publication by SHOC member Bob Pierik
In a new article in Dutch titled ‘Bomen en palen aan de kust van vroegmodern Amsterdam.
Historians by Day, Snipers by Night
Last Monday, our research group kicked off the week with an exhilarating team-building adventure! Right after work, we headed to Space Laser Games in Etterbeek for an intense round of laser tag.
SHOC op de diploma-uitreiking van de VUB!
Afgelopen maandag namen verschillende leden van de SHOC-onderzoeksgroep deel aan de diploma-uitreiking van de VUB op de iconische Grote Markt in Brussel.
New chapter begins: Make-Up of the City becomes Make-Up of the Cities!
Building on the success of the Make-Up of the City project , SHOC members Bart Lambert, Patxi Perez Ramallo and Charlotte Van Riet, alongside colleagues from other VUB research groups, now launch the next phase in their interdisciplinary exploration of Flanders’ medieval urban past, Make-Up of the...
SHOC member Ward Leloup wins paleography contest
On 4 October, 41 palaeographers from Flanders and the Netherlands gathered in St-Truiden for the finals of the Wat Staat Daer? Palaeography Contest. After a tough online preselection, the finalists faced the challenge of transcribing three texts from the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries.
SHOC members Brent Huygh and William Torbeyns secure PhD funding
SHOC did very well in this year’s FWO PhD funding competition ! Congratulations to Brent Huygh and William Torbeyns, who both secured funding for their doctoral research.
Lukas Van Oost starts at SHOC
Lukas (b. 2000) studied History at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2022–2025) and Art History at Ghent University (2018–2022). His research centers on the colonial history of Central Africa.
VACANCY: PhD researcher at the VUB (Social History of Capitalism research group) and Ghent University (History Department)
VACANCY for a doctoral researcher at the VUB (Social History of Capitalism research group) and Ghent University (History Department) in the FWO project “Blaming and Shaming by Ordinary Villagers: Rural Perspectives on Social Control in Flanders, c. 1400–1600”.
Hora est: Drs Wink becomes Dr Wink!
On Monday, 22 September, our colleague Jurriaan Wink successfully defended his PhD in Amsterdam.
We're thrilled to welcome Nel de Mûelenaere as the newest member of our research group
Nel de Mûelenaere is Associate Professor of Contemporary History, holder of the chair Traces of Resistance , and head of the VUB history program. Her research focuses on the lived experience of the two World Wars in Belgium.
Axel joins SHOC’s TvO team!
We’re pleased to announce that, starting in September 2025, Axel Van der Maelen will be joining SHOC as a TvO student.
New chapter ahead: Mathijs Speecke joins SHOC!
As of 1 October, Mathijs Speecke (°1993, Roeselare) joins SHOC as a postdoctoral researcher.
Welcome, TVO student Arne Vinck!
Arne Vinck (°1994) is joining SHOC as a Talent-for-Research student. He obtained his Bachelor in Education (Secondary Education Dutch and History) at Arteveldehogeschool Gent in 2017.
Introducing The Foragers, an arts and science crossover
We are proud to introduce The Foragers: Engagements Beyond the Human , a series of talks, screenings and an exhibition building bridges between arts and sciences.
Meet Rhea Mertes, our new SHOC researcher!
Rhea Mertes obtained a Master’s degree in History at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in 2025. During these studies, she developed a particular interest in social mobility in the late middle ages.
Noémi Tomaszynski joins SHOC as a Talent for Research Student!
Noémi began her studies in History at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in 2022. Her academic interests include socio-economic and migration history, with a particular focus on the Middle Ages.
Events
Practical info09/12/2025 - 07:30 - 09/12/2025 - 21:00The Foragers #3 Debate on Rewilding
What if we let nature take its course more often — is that the future of conservation, or a dangerous illusion? Is it a necessary step toward ecological restoration, or do we risk giving up valuable landscapes and species for a romantic ideal? Join the debate (in Dutch).
Practical info15/12/2025 - 10:30 - 15/12/2025 - 12:00SHOC seminar with Alessandro Stanziani (Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales, Paris & National Council for Scientific Researches)
Earth Capital : The long history of capitalism and its aftermath
